Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan has expressed hope that Chinese cooperation with Bangladesh in key sectors, including infrastructure, port management, waste management and renewable energy, will continue to expand.
He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen at his office in the Secretariat on Wednesday. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting.
The discussions covered a range of issues, including Dhaka’s waste management, sewerage systems, housing development and promotion of renewable energy. The two sides also discussed the inclusion of Mandarin in Bangladesh’s national education curriculum and expansion of the pipeline network required to make the Dasherkandi Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) fully operational.
State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said Bangladesh has proposed a Tk10,000-crore investment from China to develop modern housing infrastructure for slum areas in Karail, Gulshan and Mohakhali in the capital. He said China has initially shown a positive response to implementing the proposal in phases.
Highlighting China’s role as one of Bangladesh’s largest development partners, Moyeen Khan said Beijing’s long-standing support has been highly significant for the country’s progress.
He said Chinese expertise, technology and investment in areas such as water supply, waste management, renewable energy and urban development could accelerate Bangladesh’s development efforts.
The minister particularly highlighted the potential of Chinese assistance in modernising waste management systems and generating electricity from waste, describing it as an important opportunity for Bangladesh.
Ambassador Yao Wen said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China had reached a new level following Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to China.
He said Beijing was keen to further strengthen economic ties while enhancing people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Local Government Division, Managing Director of Dhaka WASA and other senior officials of the ministry.
